Similan, Richelieu Rock & Khao Lak (5 Days / 4 Nights - 14 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, very popular, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Bunsoong Wreck

Day 1
The MV Gentle Giant will set sail in the evening from Thap Lamu pier in Khao Lak, after all the passengers have boarded. The tour leader will welcome you, show you to your cabin, and detail the vessel's facilities and the itinerary for the coming days. A welcome dinner will be served, as the liveaboard commences its passage through the Andaman Sea towards the Similans. Following a restful night in your well-appointed cabin, diving will get underway the following day.

Core Days
The Similan Islands are made up of 9 granite landmasses covered in jungle, set in clear blue waters. They offer some of Thailand's best dive sites. The underwater environment includes hard and soft coral gardens, as well as massive granite boulders and rock formations, that create swim-throughs and canyons. Drift diving is common due to currents flowing over rich, life-filled reefs.
Divers are virtually guaranteed encounters with a wealth of species, from brightly coloured reef fish and various cephalopods, to regular sightings of sea turtles and huge schools of barracuda and trevally. The trip extends further north to sites like Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and the world-renowned Richelieu Rock. These northern sites are celebrated as prime spots for spotting larger pelagics, most notably manta rays and, if luck is on your side, the occasional whale shark.
Koh Bon, a small, uninhabited limestone island located just north of the Similans archipelago, is renowned across Thailand as the premier location for manta ray encounters. Unlike the granite composition of its southern neighbours, this island’s limestone structure encourages a different, more varied growth of soft and hard corals. The main attraction is the western-facing Koh Bon Ridge, which is effectively a submerged spur jutting out from the island. This ridge features a spectacular vertical wall that drops down to around 35 metres, making it an excellent spot for both intermediate and experienced divers.
Koh Tachai pinnacle itself is a huge granite plateau covered in vibrant soft corals, extensive sea fans, and anemones, with its shallowest point around 12 metres deep. This exposed topography and the powerful currents it attracts create a magnet for large pelagic life. Divers here are often surrounded by colossal schools of barracuda, giant trevally, and mackerel, giving the thrilling sensation of being inside a fish tornado. Furthermore, the site is a renowned hot spot for sightings of manta rays and, during the peak season, the majestic whale shark.
Just breaking the surface at low tide, Richelieu Rock is your best chance to encounter whale sharks. Eagle and manta rays are also common visitors during the diving season. Your guides will probably plan more than 1 dive at this unforgettable site. Huge schools of trevally and barracuda cruise in the currents, and many small species such as frogfish, ghost pipefish and seahorses hide in the cracks and crevices.

Day 5
The final day will see your diving conclude on a high note, with 2 dives conducted at sites close to Khao Lak, including the Bunsoong Wreck. The Gentle Giant will then make its way back to port, where you will disembark the liveaboard in the afternoon and be transferred back to your accommodation.
Note: these trips sometimes use the Asia Marina in Phuket. Please check exact port details for your specific trip.

Similan, Richelieu Rock & Hin Daeng (7 Days / 6 Nights - 22 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, very popular, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Similan, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Phi Phi, King Cruiser Wreck and Shark Point

Day 1
The MV Gentle Giant sets off from Asia Marina in Phuket in the evening, once all the guests are aboard. Your tour leader will greet you, show you to your cabin, and provide a thorough explanation of the vessel's facilities and the coming tour. A welcome supper will be served as the liveaboard begins its trip across the Andaman Sea, heading for the Similans. Following a decent night's sleep in your comfortable quarters, the diving will commence the following morning.

Core Days
Composed of 9 granite islands set within crystal-clear blue sea, the Similans are recognised as some of the very best dive sites in Thailand. The underwater topography is characterised by hard and soft coral beds, alongside colossal granite rocks and structures that form various passages and ravines. Strong currents frequently sweep across the reefs, making drift dives a common occurrence. Koh Bon, a small island in the Similan National Park, is famed as one of Thailand's best locations for guaranteed manta Rray encounters, particularly at the western ridge cleaning station.
Koh Tachai Plateau (or Twin Peaks) is a challenging site of massive granite boulders. The unpredictable, strong currents here bring in rich nutrients, making it a magnet for spectacular schools of fish, including a vortexes of barracuda, and offering excellent chances to see mantas and even whale sharks. However, Richelieu Rock presents the prime location for a whale shark encounter. Manta and eagle rays are regular visitors here too throughout the diving season. Vast schools of barracuda and trevally cruise through the water, and a variety of macro life - such as ghost pipefish, frogfish, and seahorses - can be found sheltering in the rock's fissures.
Koh Haa, or 'Five Islands', is a renowned archipelago in the Andaman Sea offering spectacular diving for all skill levels. The site boasts exceptional visibility and diverse topography, including the calm lagoon and the famous cathedral caverns and chimney swim-throughs.
Hin Daeng is one of Thailand's most celebrated dive sites, popular with advanced divers due to potential strong currents and significant depth, which plunges past 40 metres. This large, submerged pinnacle, just breaking the surface, is named for the spectacular, dense carpets of red soft coral that cover its walls. It is a world-renowned destination for spectacular pelagic encounters, most notably manta rays and occasional whale sharks.
Hin Muang is the site of Thailand's highest vertical wall, a submerged pinnacle that plummets to over 60 metres. The rock is completely carpeted in vibrant purple soft corals, giving the site its name and making it visually stunning. The remote location and nutrient-rich currents make it a prime destination for large marine life. It too is famous for frequent sightings of mantas and the possibility of seeing whale sharks. Divers also commonly encounter large schools of barracuda, trevally, and leopard sharks.

Day 7
The concluding day will see your liveaboard trip finish on a high point with 3 final dives at locations such as Phi Phi Island, the King Cruiser Wreck, and Shark Point. Shark Point is a vibrant underwater pinnacle covered in colourful soft corals and anemones. It is a biodiverse reef teeming with fish, from schooling barracuda to small, rare creatures like seahorses and ghostpipefish. It is particularly famed for the chance to spot the iconic leopard shark resting on the sandy bottom.
The King Cruiser is an 85-metre passenger ferry that sank in 1997 after hitting Anemone Reef. This wreck has transformed into a spectacular artificial reef, heavily encrusted with soft corals and home to massive schools of snapper, as well as lionfish and cruising turtles. Due to depth (18-32m) and potential currents, it is best suited for advanced divers.
Following the last dive, the Gentle Giant will make its return passage to Phuket, where you will step off the vessel late in the afternoon and be provided with a transfer back to your hotel accommodation.